9 Ways to Beat The Winter Blues {& Get Out of a Rut}

Happy Monday everyone!  I hope you had a lovely weekend, and are ready for a wonderful week!  Take today to set good intentions, to motivate your soul, and to cleanse the space around you!  With this cold, winter weather, it’s easy for all of us to fall into a rut and feel a little uninspired.  So treat yourself to something special today, and start your week with some extra good vibes!

While I love winter, the classic “winter rut” is upon us!  Last week I found myself feeling a little unmotivated and a little lazy, so I used this past weekend to recharge and re-inspire my soul!  Doug and I went to our favorite restaurant for lunch, and I picked up some of my favorite macarons and fresh flowers! I also cleansed my entire space, and I couldn’t resist burning my favorite spring/summer candle!

 It’s been far too long since I’ve written an inspirational/motivational post, and these are genuinely some of my favorite posts to write!  I love sharing my thoughts and ideas with all of you, and hearing all of your incredible feedback/ideas in return!  Also since we are in the middle of winter, and spring seems a little too far away, I couldn’t resist talking about some of my favorite ways to stay motivated and inspired during this time of the year!

Get Up & Get Active

Take a walk outside, hit the gym, or dance in your apartment!  Being active not only will help your body feel better, but it will leave you feeling happier and much less sluggish!  Exercise releases endorphins in your body, which in turn will help you feel more positive!  Turn on your favorite playlist, put on your cutest workout outfit, and let the good vibes flow!

Plan a Vacation

This can be anything from a small road trip to jet setting across the globe, and I promise either one will be just as rewarding!  Lately I’ve been spending a little too much time lounging in bed, so I decided to use that time to plan some fun vacations with Doug!  Our first vacation is coming up in February, and my mood has been completely uplifted due to the fact that I now have something to look forward to!  I catch myself thinking about each of our vacations every single day, and it always brings a huge smile to my face!

Pamper Yourself

This frigid weather has been pretty tough on my hair, skin, and nails, so I’ve been setting aside time to pamper myself each day!  I love taking a hot Lush bath, giving myself a manicure, getting a pedicure, getting my hair done, and using my favorite face masks!  Anything that leaves me feeling relaxed and content is a must during the winter, and something I highly recommend!

Develop a Morning & Evening Routine

I am an advocate for morning and evening routines, because I believe they help your mind, body, and spirit realign in the best way!  Allow yourself some extra time in the morning to prepare your favorite breakfast, to read a book, or to meditate.  Each night, try a digital detox, drink some green tea, and maybe soak in a hot bath for a while!  Life can get pretty busy sometimes, so try creating these routines that way you always have a set plan that will bring you joy and happiness!  I have updated morning and fitness routines coming very soon, so definitely stay in touch for those!

Create a Positive Space

“When you live surrounded by clutter, it is impossible to have clarity about what you are doing in your life.” – Karen Kingston

It may seem tedious, but cleaning up your space will leave you feeling accomplished and inspired!  I spent hours cleaning up every inch of my space this weekend, and I was truly proud of myself once the job was finished (is that an indication to how cluttered my space was?  Yikes!).  I played my favorite music, my favorite candle was burning, and I treated myself afterward by buying some beautiful fresh flowers for my desk!  If you ask me, fresh flowers, crystals, and candles are a must for a positive, beautiful space!

Read

One of my goals for 2017 is to read every morning and night, and I’m sad to admit that I have not even completed one day of that goal!  Ugh!  I have been reading here and there though, and I have been loving the quiet moments spent in my cozy room curled up with a good book and hot tea!  The books I’ve been loving lately are The Magnolia Story, The Little Book of Mindfulness, A Wilder Life, and Adventures For Your Soul!  Check out my favorite books and magazines, and definitely let me know some of your favorites!

Make Plans

There is nothing more important to me than spending time with the people I love, and I will always put those plans above all else!  I believe making plans with friends/family/loved ones is the most important thing, and I always feel so loved and inspired after meeting with them!  While we all have busy schedules, we always manage to find time to spend some truly special quality time together!  

Early this morning my blogging tribe and I had a fun and inspiring meeting at Paige’s apartment, Lyss and I have a coffee date set in about an hour, and my little/dear friend Lauren is coming over to watch The Bachelor tonight (Danielle M, Alexis, Raven and Vanessa are my faves)!  Tuesday my mom and I have a shopping day planned, and I also get to do some work for VS PINK which is my favorite thing to do!  Thursday my best friend Alexis and I are going to hot yoga and grabbing açaí bowls after, and then Doug will be here for the weekend!  The perfect week with some of my favorite people in the world!

Stay Hydrated & Caffeinated

You all know how much I love coffee and tea, and I love water just as much!  Drinking enough water daily is a necessity, and it truly helps your body in so many ways!  Making sure you’re well hydrated and well caffeinated will not only leave you feeling positive and energetic, but you’ll also be more motivated to complete tasks!  I like to start each day with cold water and a cup or two of hot oolong tea, and I usually drink coffee between one and four days per week.  I try not to drink a lot of coffee, and I prefer the natural caffeination of tea, but I definitely love to treat myself to a soy vanilla latte!  *Tip: try downsizing your coffee for less sugar and caffeine intake, and try a milk substitute!  A “tall” (12 ounces) from Starbucks is my go-to!

Detox & Refresh Your Soul

Take time to meditate, to get 6-8 hours of sleep, and to rest when needed!  Take time each day for some “me time”, and be a little selfish with yourself and your time.  You are your #1 priority, and taking care of yourself is a necessity.  Allow yourself to nourish your mind, body, and spirit, and to love yourself unconditionally!  Take a break from social media, put on your favorite comfy clothes, make your favorite drink/snack, and indulge in your alone time!  “You can’t pour from an empty cup, take care of yourself first.”

One of my goals for 2017 was creating content that I absolutely love, and as I mentioned these types of posts are some of my favorite ones to create!  Thank you all so much for continuing to support me on my journey, each of you are my biggest inspiration and motivation!  Simply Tess wouldn’t be the same without you, and I am forever grateful!

Love & Good Vibes

Tessa

Today’s Inspiration